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Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh's Most Show-Stopping Tiara Moments

The King's sister-in-law loves a sparkling accessory.

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sophie, countess of wessex's most show stopping tiara moments

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, joined the royal family in 1999 and has since become one of the most prominent working royals. The duchess has also been given access to some of the late Queen Elizabeth's jaw-dropping tiaras. From the Anthemion topper, worn on her wedding day, to not one, but two stunning aquamarine headpieces, we took a look back at the duchess's most memorable tiara moments. Read on for an abundance of diamonds, gemstones, and one particularly luxurious accessory worth £1 million (yes, you read that correctly).

June 1999

britain's prince edward and sophie rhys jones wave
UK Press//Getty Images

At her wedding to Prince Edward, Sophie, sported the Anthemion tiara, which quickly became one of her most-worn headpieces. The tiara came from the Queen's private jewelry collection, and was given to Sophie for her wedding day. The name "Anthemion" reflects the accessory's design, as the anthemion shape consists of radiating petals, similar to a fan.

August 2001

the wedding of crown prince haakon of norway  mette marit
Antony Jones//Getty Images

Sophie wore the Anthemion tiara for a second time at the Oslo wedding of Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and his wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit. While the Anthemion tiara's specific origins have not been confirmed, there are rumors that it was constructed out vintage jewels from the Queen's collection, namely four anthemion pieces from Queen Victoria’s Regal Circlet.

May 2002

the wedding of princess martha louise of norway and ari behn
A. Jones/J. Whatling/J. Parker/M. Cuthbert//Getty Images

At the wedding of Princess Martha Louise of Norway and her husband, Ari Behn, Sophie once again chose the Anthemion tiara to top off her formal look.

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May 2004

wedding of crown prince frederik and miss mary elisabeth donaldson arrivals for the gala performance in the royal theatre in copenhagen, denmark on may 13, 2004
Pool BENAINOUS/DUCLOS/TRAVERS//Getty Images

While attending a pre-wedding gala for Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark's nuptials, Sophie chose this petite floral tiara. The delicate headpiece is thought to have been a loan, as the Countess has not worn it since.

May 2004

sophie countess of wessex tiara
Tim Graham//Getty Images

For the Danish royal wedding in Copenhagen, Sophie brought out the Anthemion tiara. She paired the stunning topper with a hot pink off-the-shoulder gown and tiny crown-shaped diamond earrings.

November 2005

monaco's national day  prince albert ii's coronation   day 2
Pascal Le Segretain//Getty Images

At Prince Albert II of Monaco's Enthronement celebrations, Sophie debuted what is now called the Wessex Aquamarine Tiara. The stunning piece features a jaw-dropping central aquamarine stone. While its origins are not entirely clear, the piece was reportedly custom-made for Sophie by G. Collins & Sons, a famed English jewelry house.

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March 2006

childline  mission enfance   royal gala dinner
MJ Kim//Getty Images

The best part about the Aquamarine Tiara? It's convertible. Sophie wore it as a necklace for the ChildLine & Mission Enfance Royal gala dinner in London. She showed off the statement piece by pairing it with a simple, plunging neckline.

July 2010

swedish royal wedding   stockholm
Antony Jones/Julian Parker/Mark Cuthbert//Getty Images

Sophie brought her Anthemion tiara back out for the Stockholm wedding of Sweden's Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling. She paired the piece with an elaborate diamond set, featuring drop earrings and a statement necklace.

July 2011

monaco royal wedding   dinner and fireworks
Pascal Le Segretain//Getty Images

For the religious wedding ceremony of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco, Sophie once again chose the Anthemion tiara. At this landmark royal wedding, the Countess paired the sparkling headpiece with striped spherical earrings, a navy embellished gown, and, pinned to her dress, the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth.

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June 2013

the wedding of princess madeleine  christopher o'neill
Danny Martindale//Getty Images

There's no doubt that Sophie loves aquamarine. At the wedding of Princess Madeleine of Sweden and Christopher O'Neill, the Countess showed off the Five Aquamarine tiara, lent to her by the Queen. This piece is also often called the Canadian Aquamarine Tiara, as the Queen wore the stunning topper on a state visit to Canada in 1970.

It consists of five matching aquamarine stones, surrounded by a floral diamond design. Each aquamarine is estimated to be about 10 carats, making the tiara worth roughly £1 million.

June 2015

wedding of prince carl philip of sweden and sofia hellqvist
Julian Parker//Getty Images

Sophie attended the wedding of Sweden's Prince Carl Philip and Sofia Hellqvist wearing her famed aquamarine tiara. The Countess paired it with an aquamarine necklace, petite diamond earrings, and the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth. The look matched perfectly with her lilac, cap-sleeved gown.

June 2019

us president trump's state visit to uk   day one
WPA Pool//Getty Images

For the first time in nearly a decade, Sophie wore the Anthemion tiara at a Buckingham Palace state banquet in honor of Donald Trump's visit to the United Kingdom. It looked lovely paired with a large diamond necklace and lavender off-the-shoulder gown.

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November 2022

the president of the republic of south africa visits the united kingdom day 1
Chris Jackson//Getty Images

For the first state banquet of King Charles's reign, Sophie once again returned to her favorite aquamarine tiara with a diamond necklace and earrings.

November 2023

britain skorea diplomacy politics
YUI MOK//Getty Images

Sophie returned to her aquamarine look once more for a state banquet honoring the president of South Korea. She paired the piece with a white gown she previously wore to the coronation of King Charles.

June 2024

britain japan royals diplomacy
AARON CHOWN//Getty Images

At a state banquet celebrating the Emperor and Empress of Japan, Sophie wore the Lotus Flower Tiara for the first time. The tiara, created by Garrad for in 1923 for the late Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, was last worn by Kate Middleton.

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Annie Goldsmith
News Writer
Annie Goldsmith is the news writer for Town & Country, where she covers culture, politics, style, and the British royal family.
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